‘None at all, of course.’

’But in truth I have got nothing.  Your mother said something to me about the Belton estate; as though there was some idea that possibly it might come to me.’

‘Your cousin himself seemed to think so.’

’Frederic, do not let us deceive ourselves.  There can be nothing of the kind.  I could not accept any portion of the property from my cousin even though our marriage were to depend upon it.’

‘Of course it does not.’

’But if your means are not sufficient for your wants I am quite ready to accept that reason as being sufficient for breaking our engagement.’

‘There need be nothing of the kind.’

’As for waiting for the death of another person for your mother’s death, I should think it very wrong.  Of course, if our engagement stands there need be no hurry; but some time should be fixed.’  Clara as she said this felt that her face and forehead were suffused with a blush; but she was determined that it should be said, and the words were pronounced.

‘I quite think so too,’ said he.

’I am glad that we agree.  Of course, I will leave it to you to fix the time.’

‘You do not mean at this very moment?’ said Captain Aylmer, almost aghast.

‘No; I did not mean that.’

’I’ll tell you what.  I’ll make a point of coming down at Easter.  I wasn’t sure about it before, but now I will be.  And then it shall be settled.’

Such was the interview; and on the next morning Captain Aylmer started for London.  Clara felt, aware that she had not done or said all that should have been done and said; but, nevertheless, a step in the right direction had been taken.

CHAPTER XXVI

THE AYLMER PARK HASHED CHICKEN COMES TO AN END

Easter in this year fell about the middle of April, and it still wanted three weeks of that time when Captain Aylmer started for London.  Clara was quite alive to the fact that the next three weeks would not be a happy time for her.  She looked forward, indeed, to so much wretchedness during this period, that the days as they came were not quite so bad as she had expected them to be.  At first Lady Aylmer said little or nothing to her.  It seemed to be agreed between them that there was to be war, but that there was no necessity for any of the actual operations of war during the absence of Captain Aylmer.  Clara had become Miss Amedroz again; and though an offer to be driven out in the carriage was made to her every day, she was in general able to escape the infliction so that at last it came to be understood that Miss Amedroz did not like carriage exercise.  She has never been used to it,’ said Lady Aylmer to her daughter.  ‘I suppose not,’ said Belinda; ‘but if she wasn’t so very cross she’d enjoy it just for that reason.’  Clara sometimes walked about the grounds with Belinda, but on such occasions there was hardly anything that could be called conversation between them, and Frederic Aylmer’s name was never mentioned.